Arpeggio of Blue Steel: New Horizons

5 days later
Somewhere near Blackmane’s Cove
August, 17th 1298
CENS Blackmane (DD-156)
Equestrian Commonwealth 2nd Hoofcific Fleet
Surface Action Group ‘Omega’

Blackmane’s Cove was once home to an infamous pirate clan that used to stage massive raids on former shipping lanes surrounding the atoll and their strength in ship numbers was enough to keep the old Equestrian fleet at bay. But just like the major powers, their reign of terror and plundering came to a destructive end when the Equestrian Fleet of Fog made landfall fifty years ago. Vast wrecks of once formidable pirate ships litter the surrounding reefs putting up a desperate, futile defence with coastal batteries and bunkers long obliterated from the Equestrian Fog’s superior firepower. Those who remain on the island protect the famed ‘Blackmane’s plunder’, where decades worth of looting great treasures and plundering from the old shipping lanes is concealed deep within the heart of the island. Other members of the pirate clan who fled to Equestria were offered a general pardon for their crimes in exchange for their services to the commonwealth.

Captain Lotus Rodger observes the abandoned island through her binoculars from the starboard bridge wing of her destroyer as the fleet sailed by. Lotus was born from a family who were former members of the Blackmane Clan that fled to Equestria after the pirate fleet was destroyed by the Equestrian Fog. Lotus is one of many newly graduated officers rushed into active duty to compensate for the recent losses of veteran officers who perished in combat following the ‘battle of the Crystal Canals’ where the Destroyermares Squadron was lost to the Equestrian Fog Supreme Flagship, Armageddon. Lotus has been known to be energetic and always looking for an adventure, now she can fulfil her passion as an adventurer in the Equestrian Commonwealth Navy.

Lotus inhales the salty air of the Hoofcific she spent her whole life breathing as she takes in the vast formation of ships that make up the SAG. Celestia’s sun is high in the sky, the only traces of bad weather is the large malestorm off the port-bow. Normally a malestorm would signify a large concentration of Equestrian Fog ships, but the bloody storm clouds and almost constant discharges of lightning symbolize something more sinister.

The bridge door behind Lotus opens as the head of Blackmane’s X.O peeks around. “Ma’am, Admiral Ruby has ordered all ships to action stations.”

“Thank you, Comrade Lieutenant.” Lotus replied with her thick stalliongrad accent. “Sound general quarters, all hooves to battle-stations, threat condition red.”

“Aye, aye, ma’am!” The lieutenant slipped back into the bridge to sound general quarters.

Lotus takes a final glance at the artificial storm before putting on her cap and turned for the bridge as Klaxons blared across the ship and rain began to drizzle the hybrid destroyer as the fleet drew near the storm.

CENS Verdon (BB-1)

“ALL HOOVES TO BATTLESTATIONS! THREAT CONDITION RED!”

Klaxons boomed across the Equestrian battleship as her crew rush to their stations, securing water-tight hatches, donning their protective gear and manning the guns, damage control equipment and targeting systems. On the bridge, Equestria’s youngest commander, Captain Green ‘N’ Gold stares down the storm with a stern glance. Green signed up to join the Equestrian Commonwealth Navy as an Officer at the age of eighteen and went into active duty as Verdon’s first commanding officer at the age of twenty five. The reasons for Green starting as a commanding officer and not an X.O on a patrol boat was mainly the lack of veteran officers and was personally hoofpicked by Admiral Ruby for possessing a tactical mind that has great potential. Green might not know it but Ruby believes he, if he can master his tactical skills, could possibly surpass her.

“Captain, all hooves are at their stations awaiting your orders.” Verdon’s X.O announced.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Green thanked his X.O.

“Ops to bridge!” Verdon’s tactical officer hails over the loudspeaker system.

“This is the Captain, wht ya got Ops?” Green responds.

“Solar Eclipse has done an initial I.D scan of the Malestorm, only one large surface contact has been identified, possible Supreme Flagship-class vessel.”

“Which flagship?” Green asked.

There was a brief pause before Ops replied. “Solar has confirmation that… Oh sweet Celestia, it’s the Tyrant, sir.”

The bridge suddenly grew a quiet, uncomfortable atmosphere at the mention of the name.

“Well, this operation just got a lot more interesting…” The X.O mumbled.

“The Tyrant? I thought we sank her for the fifth time now! That Ship certainly knows no death and fears no weapon we bring against her.” Verdon’s Radio Operator spoke out.

“What is up with this battleship and cheating death." Green muttered

“Lookout to bridge, we have visual contact!” spotters manning the fire control tower announced over a loudspeaker.

Green grabs the 1MC to address his crew over the ship’s P.A system. “Attention all hooves! As of moments ago we have identified an Equestrian Fog warship taking refuge in a nearby malestorm. We have confirmation that the hostile vessel is the Supreme Flagship, Tyrant. As far as we know, the last sighting of the Tyrant was approximately six months ago when she was assumed to have been destroyed during the battle of Mareway. The admiralty assured us that she was sunk, but that’s no longer the case. She is still active, and we all know she is a very dangerous ship. Tyrant and her sister, Armageddon are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Equestrian Sailors, and all but two of the elements of harmony and Princess Twilight alone. Thankfully, the two surviving elements; Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash recently awoke from their magic induced coma ten years ago. As you all know by now Rainbow has been in the Equestrian Commonwealth Maritime Air Force since her recovery and is now serving on-board the Sovereign as the fleet’s leading fighter ace along with her squadron, the 187th ‘Rainbooms’.-”

Green was then interrupted by the loud cheers that rang out at the mention of Rainbow Dash.

“Even with the combined firepower we possess, it probably won’t be enough to destroy Tyrant." Green continues. "But know this sailors… If we don’t stop Tyrant here, we’ll send her a message. We’ll show her that we’re no longer cowards hiding within our walled off cities. We’ll show her that the Equestrian navy is stronger than it was fifty years ago. We will take back our oceans, and drive the fog back down to the bottom of the ocean.”

Green wasn’t one for motivational speeches, but he hopes that little speech would shed some glint of hope for the crew. The odds of taking on the Supreme flagship of the Equestrian Fleet of Fog and living to fight another day is slim. But if Admiral Ruby can survive encountering the flagships twice and live by the skin of her teeth, surly this encounter should be no different. This time however they have the weapons to hurt them, sinking Tyrant will mark a turning point in the war. If Solar Eclipse can get a well-aimed shot with one vibration warhead torpedo, it should inflict enough damage to cripple most of Tyrant’s key systems, leaving her vulnerable to the Equestrian Fleet.

“All ships, this is Admiral Ruby. Adjust your course to two-seven-zero. All ships assume capital phalanx formation, threat level, Poseidon!”

Green ‘N’ Gold shuddered under his skin. ‘Threat level, Poseidon’ means that an Equestrian Fog strategic target has been identified amongst a formation or the presence of a Supreme Flagship. At least it’s just Tyrant and not both Fog flagships, otherwise Ruby would up the alert status to threat level, Kraken.

“You heard the lady! Helm, right rudder, two-seven-zero.” Green ordered.

“Right rudder, two- seven-zero, aye sir!” The helmspony acknowledges.

C.E.N.S Sovereign (CV-6)

On board the Sovereign, Admiral Ruby oversees all fleet operations from the command deck located in the middle of the island structure which takes up most of the third deck of the island and is made up of the ship’s Fleet Ops Centre, Combat Information Centre and Arial Operations.

“Ma’am, we have visual contact.” The Radiopony manning the communications console informs the Admiral.

“Thank you, I’ll take a look.” Ruby stood from her seat and trotted her way to the bridge.

Ruby didn’t have to go far since the command deck being located behind the bridge separated by a hallway a few metres long, two armoured doors and a staircase. Upon entering the bridge the flurry of activity was less active in comparison to the command deck, Guess Ruby still has a lot to get used to since the loss of her destroyer squadron.

“Admiral on the bridge!” Sovereign’s Commanding Officer, Captain Sea Floor chirped, the bridge crew snapped a salute to the Admiral.

“At ease.” Ruby returned the salute. “Thought I come out and see a familiar face.”

The bridge crew returned to their assigned duties, Ruby makes her way to the front where she can lookout the many windows of the bridge. Using her magic to grab a spare pair of binoculars, she brings the optical device upon her eyes as she scans the malestorm.

“A familiar face, huh?” Captain Sea Floor quoted with a raised eyebrow and a fluent Baltimare accent.

“I need to be sure it’s really her, Sea floor.” Ruby admitted. “Cause if it is… I’m afraid she’s gonna try to take out Solar at the first opportunity.”

After a full minute of watching the storm, the Tyrant reveals herself. A monstrous warship eases out of the twisting storm, her silhouette makes up the unmistakable shape of a Yamato-class Battleship. Her colossal 18.1” photon cannons strikes the fear of Celestia upon anypony who bear witness to their power. Her armour as thick as the barriers that protect Equestria’s coastal cities. Her fog Wave-Force scheme symbolises her as a supreme-flagship. Tyrant alone is a fleet of one that has claimed over four hundred ships and their crews throughout the entire war.

Ruby couldn’t believe her eyes. The last time she saw Tyrant was during the Battle of Mareway, six months ago. When she was in charge of the ‘Destroyermare’s Squadron’ they were assisting in the evacuation of the island base before Tyrant’s taskforce arrived. Unfortunately, she had arrived earlier than they expected, and had they not have support from a nearby American nuclear submarine, she probably wouldn’t be standing on the Sovereign today. She watched Tyrant’s taskforce take a direct hit from a Sub-Launched Ballistic Missile for Celestia's sake! She watched her go down in atomic fire, and now she’s back, stronger than ever.

Suddenly, Solar Eclipse appeared on the bridge having teleported from her ship. Ruby was surprised to see her. “Solar? What are you doing here?”

Solar stuttered for a second before collecting her tongue. “Tyrant… Contacted me, she wants a cease-fire.”

The bridge went silent. Sea Floor was quick to check his hearing. “I’m sorry, did you just say… Cease-fire?”

“Yes.” Solar confirmed before turning to Ruby. “She wants to talk to you, Admiral.”

Ruby was even more surprised. “Me?”

Solar simply nodded.

Captain Sea Floor lean towards Ruby to whisper his concern. “I have bad feeling about this, Admiral. This could be a trap.”

“Only one way to find out.” Ruby whispered back. She took a couple of steps towards Solar. “Tell her I accept her truce.”

Solar closed her eyes to concentrate on informing Tyrant on Ruby’s decision. Her eyes opened after a few seconds. “She says she’s looking forward to finally meeting you.”

“As am I, Solar.” Ruby muttered.

“Ma’am, the fleet have all guns and torpedoes locked onto the Tyrant. Your orders?” The radiopony announced.

“Tell all ships to hold fire, but in under any circumstances if Tyrant tries to do anything, you light her up.” Ruby replied.

“Yes, Ma’am!” The radiopony trots back to his station to relay Ruby’s orders.

“I’m going out there, I won’t be too long.” Ruby trotted past Sea Floor.

“Be careful, Ruby. We both know what that monster is capable of.” Sea Floor warned.

Ruby, who was now alongside Solar Eclipse gave the carrier captain an assuring nod before turning to Solar. “Ready?”

“Ready.” Solar agreed as she charges up her FTL core for the jump to Tyrant’s ship.

Ruby braced herself as teleporting with an Equestrian Fog mental model can be a little nauseous.

“You might want to hold onto your lunch.” Solar warns jokingly as she triggers her FTL core and the two jumped to the Tyrant.

Equestrian Fleet of Fog Supreme Flagship: Tyrant

The jump from the Sovereign to the Tyrant was brief and straightforward for Solar Eclipse, but it was a first for Ruby being exposed to faster than light travel. Solar stood on Tyrant’s wave-force armoured deck unfazed from the sudden transition, Ruby however could have fared better. Ruby laid on the deck in a dizzy state, almost losing her lunch. Solar quickly forged a bucket using her excess nanomaterial but luckily Ruby waved her hoof in denial.

“Are you sure you’re alright.” Solar asked with worry.

“I’m fine, Solar.” Ruby reassured the mental model.

“Ara, Ara. What do we have here?” An unknown voice echoed throughout the Fog Super-Battleship. “So this is the famed Destroyermare, Ruby New Moon!”

The two looked around, trying to locate the source but Tyrant is nowhere to be found. Then, she materialises out of thin air in front of the pair. Tyrant’s appearance is almost similar to Solar, same Wave-Force armoured skin but with a pure white carbon fibre coat. Red coloured Fog symbols decorate her body like all Equestrian Fog mental models have and pure graviton energy for a mane and tail. Like Solar, she is also an Alicorn with a three foot long crystalized horn, six meter wingspan, cybernetic eyes, and sports an athletic figure. Most of her body is concealed underneath a dark blue ballgown with a long train. Her graviton mane is tied up in a ponytail with an energy amplifier acting as a hairband.

“I didn’t think you would accept my offer, Ruby.” Tyrant greeted the Admiral.

“Yeah, well I’m starting to have second thoughts about it.” Ruby replied.

Tyrant let out a sly chuckle before turning to Solar Eclipse. “Solar, my bastard child. I didn’t think you would come back after you deserted the fleet.”

“I was never programed with the Admiralty Code when I was activated, and I wasn’t even synced into the Joint Tactical Network until I was accepted into the Blue-Steel fleet. The reason I deserted you all was because I felt different from the rest of the fleet. I felt like I didn’t belong in the Equestrian Fleet of Fog, and I’ve learnt something from the Ponies.” Solar tried to explain.

“Careful with your words, Solar. What you’re saying is treason to the Admiralty Code!” Tyrant warned the torpedo cruiser.

“Treason my ass!” Ruby interrupted. “Tyrant, you wanted me here I’m here! Why do you want to talk to me?”

“Of course, we are on neutral grounds after all.” Tyrant shifted her attention back to Ruby. “Would you like some tea?”

“Tea isn't really my cuppa-joe Tyrant.” Ruby denied the flagship's offer.

“Very well, let’s get down to business.” Tyrant spoke before teleporting away from the pair before reappearing on the roof of her forward most 18.1" gun turret.

“So why am I here, Tyrant? What made you not want to kill me this time?” Ruby called out to the Supreme-Flagship.

Tyrant simply laughed. “Oh, Ruby, you know me too well. You’re lucky I’m under strict orders from the Student Council of Fog not to kill you unless you refuse my offer.”

Ruby was now concerned, whatever Tyrant has to offer was obviously not good, and the mentioning of this Council of Fog has Solar Eclipse spooked. Whoever the council was, they seem to be of greater importance than the admiralty code the Fog naturally abides by.

“I’m a little concerned to ask about your offer?” Ruby pressed on.

“It’s a simple offer.” Tyrant replied. “The council demands the Commonwealth’s surrender to the fog, the leaders placed into our custody and fog discipline and law to be enforced onto the commonwealth. If you surrender your fleet to me, Ruby I’ll ensure you and your crews are fairly treated and returned to Equestria unharmed. Solar Eclipse will be taken into my custody and your vessels properly disposed of.”

Ruby was at a loss of words, she was invited on board the vessel of her nemesis just so Tyrant could have the guts to ask her to surrender, that made her blood boil to the point of nearly giving herself a stroke.

“But of course I already know your answer so you don’t have to waste your breath.” Tyrant assured being oblivious to what’s going on in Ruby’s head.

“Actually…” Ruby interrupted. “I have one thing to say to you and your council if they are listening through the network.”

“Oh, I was gonna take a no for an answer but, go on?” Tyrant gestured.

“There’s more to an answer than just a yes or no, and believe me when I say this, I speak on behalf of not just the Commonwealth, but for all of Ponykind when I say this.” Ruby took a more defensive stand towards the flagship, her expression grilled with denial.

“I have something to say to your 'Council' on behalf of Celestia, and that they can take their offers of surrender and shove it where Celestia's sun won't shine! Equestria will never surrender until you, your sister and your fleet are sleeping with Blackmane's Sirens!”

As predicted, Tyrant knew Ruby would outright turn her down. Not only will she finally rid her decks of her flesh rival but also destroy Equestria's most advanced fleet and move on with her next set of directives. Tyrant cracked into a fit of laughter. “Oh, Ruby… I was expecting so much more from you. I was hoping that you would try to convince me that the Commonwealth and the Fog can co-exist in peace. Just as Princess Twilight and her friends almost did.”

“If you hadn’t been so blindingly stuck up with your ‘Admiralty Code’ you sadistic bitch and had your sister been more trigger-disciplined, we wouldn’t even be in this mess!” Ruby snapped back. “And maybe if you had spared Princess Twilight, just maybe, Celestia would probably forgive you! Look at Humanity and the Earth-Fog, ‘Blue-Steel’! Why can’t the council see past the way of war? We can co-exist with each other, Tyrant!”

Ruby took a couple of steps closer which made Tyrant tense a little. “We’ve been enemies for over fifty years, and I’m getting sick and tired of this war. Let’s just set our differences aside and end this damn war. Right here, right now!”

“Ruby, do you honestly think I’m just gonna lay down my arms and just make peace.” Tyrant spoke back. “There can never be peace between us. What goes on between the humans and the main fleet is not of my concern. In the end, those who side with the humans have committed treason against the fleet and the council. Blue-Steel will be dealt with when the time comes, the council will stop at nothing till they eradicate humanity for what they did to Earth. And why keep fighting, Ruby? What’s wrong with retiring and enjoying what remains of your life? You had every opportunity to walk away from this and let me be somepony else's problem. If you want this to be all over right now, then hold still and let me end it for you!”

Tyrant’s Wave-Force armour glimmers to life as her klien field becomes active and her photon cannons charge up. Tyrant's forward turret began to adjust under Tyrant’s control as she aims the middle 18.1” rifle directly at Ruby. Solar Eclipse was quick to jump in front to shield her admiral ready to engage her klien field to moment Tyrant fired.

“Any last words before I sweep you off my deck?” Tyrant spoke, her voice devoid of mercy.

Ruby was out of options, even if Solar can absorb a point blank shot from Tyrant, she wouldn’t be able to take another shot after. Tyrant previously mentioned Twilight, whatever happened to the princess, she may never know but she can still ask.

“Yes! What ever happened to Princess Twilight?” Ruby asked, hoping to stall Tyrant long enough for Solar to jump the pair back to the fleet.

The tense atmosphere was shattered as 16” shells from the Verdon slam into Tyrant’s Klien field, doing no harm to the Supreme Flagship but the high explosive force soaked up a lot of the shields strength.

“Ever since I captured her she has proven invaluable to me. Her magic is stronger than anypony I have observed. Now, with my renewed strength combined with the power Twilight possesses, nothing can stop me!” Tyrant boasted. “Once I’m done with you, I will lead the fleet to San Maresisco where the rest of the commonwealth fleet will perish and will signify the beginning of the end of Equestria and its reign with the Solar and Lunar Princesses!”

‘Twilight is still alive!’ Ruby thought with sudden shock. ‘If she is, then I need to rescue her.’

“Where is she, Tyrant!?” Ruby demanded. “I want to see her, now!”

Tyrant was hesitant for a second but decided to be honest and proceeds to reveal her prisoner to the Admiral. “Very well, here's your precious princess.”

Tyrant brought up her data rings to unlock the containment cell. The deck space between Ruby and Tyrant opened up revealing a glass bubble shaped cell, within this cell was Princess Twilight who is now a full grown Alicorn sat in an unconscious. Her cell doubled as a power amplifier which is linked to Tyrant’s core, draining Twilight’s magic. The sight alone made Ruby furious.

“Now that you have seen your beloved princess, are you ready to accept your fate?” Tyrant spoke, her patience growing thin.

“Yes.” Ruby replied casually. “And thank you for returning Princess Twilight back into Equestrian custody.”

Tyrant was confused about the sudden change in Ruby’s tone, but didn’t have time to figure out what she’s up to as Tyrant found herself being struck with a concussion blast from Solar, sending the Supreme-Flagship sprawling off the roof of her gun turret.

Ruby snaped her attention to the imprisoned princess, noticing the power conduit that drains Twilight’s magic was also emitting a strange aura around the ball-shaped cell. Believing that is what keeps Twilight’s cell together, Ruby whips out her Colt ‘King Cobra’ .357 Magnum revolver and emptied the chamber into the conduit which explodes and the aura around the cell dissipates sending it crashing down onto the deck. The cell shatters into powder and Princess Twilight jolts up in sheer panic trying to collect her breathing.

Ruby bolted to aid the distressed princess. “Twilight! Princess, look at me, you’re okay. I’m gonna get you home!”

She then turned to Solar to see if she’s ready to jump back to the fleet. “Solar, get us outta here!”

“Standby, I just need a moment!” Solar replied, prepping her FTL core to jump.

Ruby frantically searched to see where Tyrant is, only to see her soar into the sky, and she looked pissed. Her horn lit up and the forward turret readjusted itself to aim at Ruby and Twilight, the 18.1” guns morphed into their Photon mode and began to charge up.

“Dick move, Tyrant! Come face me like a real mare!” Ruby yelled over the charging guns, whipping out her revolver once more to put a round into Tyrant’s head. The six shooter responded with several clicking noises. “Aw buck!”

“You’re finished, Ruby!” Tyrant bellowed.

Just as the Supreme-Flagship fired her cannons, Solar Eclipse jumped the pair and herself away from Tyrant just in time. The photon beams burrowed into the empty space where Ruby and Twilight sat, Tyrant's Wave-Force armour absorbs the impact to avoid inflicting self-harm to the Flagship.

This was the last straw for Tyrant, she had enough of trying to kill the last Destroyermare through conventional means. Tyrant was pulling out the big guns and ending this before her lust for Ruby’s blood drives her to go berserk, a similar fate that had befallen on Kongo. Besides, she did just reveal the council’s plans to take down Equestria and Humanity to Ruby, she has destroy her.

“I’m gonna reduce you to dust now!” Tyrant seethed at the opposing fleet. “Engage Super-Graviton Cannons.”

CENS Sovereign (CV-6)
West of Blackmane’s Cove

Back on the fleet-carrier, Captain Sea Floor who took over as acting commander in Ruby’s absence, has been manoeuvring the fleet away from the Equestrian fog flagship so if things went south the fleet will be in a good position to disengage.

Despite the fact that they have the Tyrant completely outgunned, the overall firepower won’t be enough to even inflict any major damage to her without Sovereign’s strike aircraft and Solar Eclipse’s vibration torpedoes. Sea Floor watched the Tyrant through his binoculars monitoring the situation with Ruby and Solar meeting the flagship. It appeared at first Tyrant wanted to co-operate with Ruby, but that suddenly took a turn south when Tyrant activated her klien-field. The Equestrian battleship, Verdon immediately opened up against Tyrant but was futile as the opposing battleship’s shields simply absorbed the shells that made their mark.

If things couldn’t get any worse, Sea Floor watched Tyrant shotgun the Admiral and Solar with her forward main battery. His heart dropped, he wasn’t sure if they warped out in time but he mentally prayed to Celestia that they did.

Thankfully his prayers were answered as Solar Eclipse reappear on the bridge with Ruby and another pony he didn’t recognise at first. This third pony appeared to be a full grown Alicorn with lavender fur, he couldn’t remember any princesses with that coloured fur and she didn’t appear to be a mental model. But as Ruby and Solar helped her up, Sea Floor caught a glimpse of her cutie mark, and that’s when it hit him like a freight train as it did to everypony else present. This wasn’t just any Alicorn, it was Princess Twilight Sparkle.

All his life, since he was born fourteen years after the destruction of the old fleet it was believed that Twilight was killed along with three of the original members of the Elements of Harmony. Solar Eclipse rescued the two members that survived Armageddon’s Super-Graviton cannon who were Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy along with Ruby and a few survivors. After being dropped close to San Maresisco the two elements were flown to Canterlot for treatment but both would soon fall into a magic induced coma. The doctors believed they would never wake up, but Princess Celestia’s intervention prevented them from having their lives cut short and were taken into Celestia and Luna’s care. To help preserve their bodies, Celestia had them sent to a dimension where they would remain in suspended animation and only until they began to regain consciousness would they return to Equestria. Fifteen years prior, news broke out that Fluttershy had returned to Equestria after regaining consciousness from her thirty five year coma, Rainbow would follow suit two years after.

His train of thought was interrupted as Ruby began barking orders across the bridge, judging by the near panic like expression of her voice, her officer’s training have gone into autopilot mode and when it does Sea Floor knew the fleet was in trouble.

“Solar get back to your ship, drop a kinetic jammer to scramble Tyrant’s targeting systems.”

“But, Ma’am, there’s a potential risk that we won’t be able to continue to engage the Tyrant as the fleet’s targeting systems will be scrambled as well.” Solar warned Ruby.

“Solar, we are in no position to continue engaging Tyrant.” Ruby replied. “Now that we have recovered Princess Twilight, our mission has completely changed. We need to get her back to the mainland before Tyrant blows us out of the water!”

“I understand, I will be returning to my ship. Just give me the signal.” Solar spoke as she charged up her FTL core once more.

“No need, you just drop that jammer as soon as you regain control of your hull, I’ll warn the fleet about it.” Ruby assured the mental model.

“Aye aye, Ma'am.” Solar nodded before jumping away back to her ship, the bridge was bathed in blinding light for a brief second before dying out, some of the crew were left slightly disorientated but shook it off and went back to their tasks.

Ruby turned to the Communications Officer. “Jester, send a warning out to the fleet that Solar is dropping a kinetic jammer so our systems will be temporarily scrambled with a general retreat issued. I want our destroyers repositioned ready to drop a smoke screen.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The comms officer replied as he began to relay the Admiral’s orders to the rest of the fleet.

Ruby was then approached by Twilight, she was like a lost foal in a shopping mall. Though this is her first time out in the open world in fifty years and it’s also the first time she’s been on a modern Equestrian warship like the Sovereign.

“Hey, uh, thanks for saving me back there. Being trapped inside an alien ship for fifty years really got into my head. Not to mention being used as a rechargeable battery…” Twilight thanked the Admiral.

“No trouble at all, we thought you were killed when Armageddon zapped you and your friends.” Ruby replied.

Twilight slightly recoiled in shock from Ruby’s response. “Wait, are you saying all my friends didn’t survive?”

The bridge went silent again as Ruby mentally punched herself in the face. ‘Nice going, Ruby. You should've held your tongue and let Celestia handle this.’ Ruby couldn’t help herself, when you just narrowly avoided death by a heartbeat, it can really mess with your thinking in a situation like this. Now how was she going to explain to the princess of magic that three of her friends had perished when she has a flagship to deal with at the same time.

The tense atmosphere takes a turn for the worst, the Officer of the Watch from CIC bursts into the bridge, interrupting the tense moment. “Ma’am! We got a massive graviton energy build-up coming from the Tyrant!”

Ruby suddenly found herself frozen with fear, the last time she heard that sentence was on the night the ‘Destroyermares’ was wiped out by Armageddon.

“Oh no, Tyrant you’d better not be doing what I think you’re doing.” Ruby flipped around and made for the nearest bridge window, binoculars drawn hoping she’s summoning reinforcements.

But her worst fear has become a reality again. Through the binoculars she eyes the Tyrant with her hull split open, revealing the weapon that everypony dreads. The Fog’s ‘Super-Graviton Cannon’. Very rarely has this weapon has been used against Equestria since it was first used against the Elements and later on the ‘Destroyermares’. As far as Ruby knows, there is no defence against this weapon except for the ‘Mirror-Ring’ system which is normally equipped by the Fog’s capital ships and normally two of their escorts. So with no defence, whenever you see a Super-Graviton Cannon charging up, it’s already too late to abandon ship before it was vaporized. Ruby was now out of options, she could scatter the fleet to minimize collateral damage or rush Tyrant hoping to get Solar close enough to launch her vibration torpedoes against the flagship.

“Please tell me you have a means of defence against that weapon!?” Twilight spoke, her voice filled with dread.

“No… Even when our first modern ships were enchanted with Celestia’s shielding magic, the super-graviton cannon still vaporized our ships like shredding paper with an autocannon.” Ruby muttered with defeat.

“How far are we from the nearest equestrian city?” Twilight asked.

“San Maresisco is the closest city, your highness.” The Navigation Officer replied. “About four hundred and fifty eight nautical miles to our north-east?”

“Okay, that’s all I need to know.” Twilight thanked the officer before she began to channel all her strength into her magic.

Ruby didn’t know what Twilight was doing but she gets her answer as the Sovereign began to glow. Sure enough as Ruby turned her gaze out the view port the rest of the fleet was enveloped in Twilight’s aura including Solar Eclipse.

“Twilight, are you going to-”

“I’m teleporting the fleet away from Tyrant, it’s the only way we’re getting out of this one. Besides, I didn’t escape just to watch my rescuers get blown out of the water!” Twilight replied, determined to return the favour to the Admiral.

Ruby was surprised, normally those that try to return a favour to her would often get themselves killed in the process. This time, Ruby has a chance to actually bring back a fleet and reignite Commonwealth’s morale with the news of Twilight’s return. Getting Twilight home was now Ruby’s top priority.

“Well, you’d better make it quick! Because Tyrant is about to wipe us off the history books!” Ruby gestured towards the alien flagship.

“Super-Graviton Cannon charging sequence: 65% Complete.”

With each passing second since Ruby’s getaway with the princess of magic, Tyrant’s frustration grows towards breaking point. Had she lied to the admiral instead of showing sympathy Ruby would be nothing but dust and her fleet along with Solar scrap nanomaterials. That was the major issue of having a mental model, overtime the physical form slowly gains mental emotions that could affect or enhance the A.I’s thinking/processing capacity. Mental models of the Equestrian Fleet of Fog generally benefit from the positive emotions such as happiness, humour, and affection. It’s mainly the negative emotions that gets a mental model and her ship sunk. No wonder the ‘Student Council’ want to take down Humanity and Equestria so bad before the next fleet is assembled and deployed.

Tyrant mentally looked back to her last meeting with Kongo before she went berserk trying to sink I-401 and her captain, she obeyed the code above all else but her obsession to take down Iona would lead to her demise. With the current fleet divided up between six factions, the admiralty code has almost completely been deviated with the exception of the Student Council, Musashi’s fleet and the Equestrian Fleet of Fog still remaining loyal. Tyrant could only be thankful that her fleet hasn’t shared the same fate and that the admiralty code can overlook this cancer known as emotions, finding a solution to suppress it.

“Super-Graviton charging sequence: 90% complete, firing sequence initiated.”

It’s almost time to put down the last Destroyermare, and Tyrant needs to do it before it drives her to go rampant. Tyrant opens up a screen linked to the targeting computer of her super weapon, her eyes lock onto the fleet carrier serving as Ruby’s flagship with some escorting ships caught in the line of fire. A menacing grin grew on the flagship’s face as she locked in the aircraft carrier as the preferred target.

“You can run all you want, Ruby. But there is no escaping the power of the Fleet of Fog. Let this day be an example to those who dare defy the Admiralty Code!” Tyrant spoke to the open ocean, patiently waiting for her super weapon to be fully charged and ready to fire.

Suddenly, Tyrant’s sensors picked up a strange anomaly developing within the carrier’s island structure before it visually began to glow in a strange aura which spreads throughout the surrounding fleet. Further analysis reveals that the source is Princess Twilight who was attempting to teleport the fleet away. Tyrant simply scoffed at this revelation.

“Your abilities and your power have grown exponentially since you’ve been under my custody.” Tyrant admitted. “But you are now a liability to me, and so you shall be annihilated along with Ruby and the traitor, Solar Eclipse.”

A notification pops up on her data rings indicating her super-graviton cannon was now ready to fire, Tyrant’s grin returns.

“Equestria’s downfall is imminent!” Tyrant boomed, her cannon charging up to fire. Ruby’s fleet is suddenly engulfed in a bubble dome signalling the imminent jump. “And so It begins with the death of the last Destroyermare!”

The eerie atmosphere of the ocean was shattered from the thunderous roar of Tyrant’s Super-Graviton Cannon. The concentrated beam of energy speared out of the flagship’s open hull and barrelled down towards the Equestrian fleet as it was about to jump. The energy beam struck Twilight’s dome sparking a chain reaction between the two different particle matters, triggering an anomaly that fractures the Space-Time Continuum and disrupting Twilight’s teleportation spell. Moments before Tyrant picked up the new anomaly, it collapses in on itself and ruptures into an artificial rift that pulls the entire fleet into it before closing in on itself.

Tyrant found herself slack jawed and surprised at the sudden event that transpired just then as her super weapon depletes its beam and deconstructs back into her hull as the flagship re-joined its separated hull back together.

“W-Where did they go? What the buck did I just do!?”